Luch is an 18-year-old student in 12th grade. Luch has three brothers and one sister. He enjoys staying at home and reading books. He traveled four hours to Watsi’s medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment with his mother.
On November 23rd, 2015, Luch was in a moto accident. He was taken to a hospital and was unconscious for four days. The doctors there discovered a left forearm fracture but did not provide treatment. The hospital charged $3,000 USD for his hospital stay and a CT scan, but his family had no money so he returned home. Luch went to a tradition Khmer healer who provided a bamboo splint for his arm.
He first came to CSC on March 25th for a consultation about his condition. His left arm has no shoulder, wrist, elbow, or hand movement. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury (BPI), which is when the network of nerves that sends signals to the arm for movement has been stretched, compressed, or even ripped. It can leave the arm paralyzed, as it has in Luch’s case.
Surgeons at CSC will perform a BPI repair surgery so he can regain function of his left arm. A BPI surgery at CSC will involve diverting a nerve from one destination and sewing it into the non-functioning nerve. It can take three to six months before full recovery of function is typically seen.
The treatment will cost $392 and covers the cost of the surgery, the medical supplies that are needed, and two full days of housing and food for Luch and his mother.
“When I am healed I will go home and continue my studies,” Luch tells us.

